The challenge was to write a 99-word story that had somewhere in its ending, “We can’t be late for his birthday.’ And those who joined in delivered.
Based on the reader’s picks, please enjoy the wonderful creations of Kayla Lugo, Bradley Staman, Kamisah, and Soft. Simple. Still. We also want to thank Tanja Cilia, Mark Ready, Richard Partridge, and Christine Law for joining in the fun.
Now sit back and enjoy the original stories on a wonderful Tuesday.
The Perfect Gift by Kayla Lugo
As I stood there wanting to pick out the perfect present for my boyfriend’s birthday, my friends were telling me to hurry up. It would be my first birthday engaged to him so I wanted it to be special. I then saw the perfect gift: a ring that was the size he told me on our last date. I thought to myself “what better gift than getting engaged!” I bought the ring and confidently told the cashier that I didn’t want a receipt. My friend honked her horn and said “Hurry up, we can’t be late for his birthday.”
Living a Lie by Bradley Staman
Molly took a couple deep breaths, trying to claim the nerves.
“I can do this,” she told herself. “He can’t hurt me. I can do this.”
“Are you about ready to go?” her husband asked. “The kids are getting anxious.”
“I’m almost done,” Molly said.
“You okay?”
“I’m fine,” she lied.
She examines herself in the mirror. It’s important not to look too good.
Closing her eyes, she can smell his breath and feel his hands.
She shivers.
Molly hated him, but she kept his sick secret.
“Grandpa’s waiting,” her son yelled. “We can’t be late for his birthday.”
An Eye For An Eye by Kamisah
“I'll see you later,” I signaled ok, and Danny left. I walk to the bookshelf and reach for the phone behind it. I play a video of Danny, Paul's best buddy and me. Then, I watch another video of me with Rudy, Eva's husband. I am so proud of myself.
I stumbled upon a video of my fiance Paul and Eva on Paul's phone two weeks ago. Kept my cool but I wish to return a favour. Took out my best party dress, practiced my break up speech and grip my phone. We can't be late for his birthday.
TRUTH by Soft. Simple. Still
"Really! I don’t believe you?”
"Ahhh! Truth. Can we believe what he says? Can we believe the look in his eye? The way he turns up his lip? Can we believe him the way he struts his way into the room and expects us all to "bow" to him?”
"Oh, don't be silly. It really isn’t like that!”
“No! Then pray tell me what do you see in him?”
“Loyalty. Confidence. Honour. Self assurance… Love.”
“Really!”
“Yes!
“I think you’re defending him.”
“You speak of Truth! You will see. Promise. Come now, we can’t be late for his birthday.”
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Oh THANK YOU so much for including my piece of writing. I have to say, I do love your weekly challenges. Thank you for opening the space for such creative inspiration.